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Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke

Australia is dealing with this health hazard now.

Protecting people from the health of wildfire smoke is a significant issue in Australia today. Even the urban areas are experiencing heavy smoke from wildfires. 

A quick search of the Internet had this Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide pop-up, Wildfire Smoke, A guide for Public Health Officials, updated in 2019.

At this point, kindergarten children are being kept at home to help diminish the exposure to wildfires. However, it is not only the wildland firefighters, but also construction workers and others whose jobs have them outdoors for extended periods of time who will experience impacts. The long-term ramifications of the health impacts will be felt for decades in the future. Climate change is not just about sea rise, there will be other direct impacts to public health as being experienced today in Australia.  

Eric Holdeman is a contributing writer for Emergency Management magazine and is the former director of the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management.